An idolater, in biblical terms, is an individual who engages in the worship of idols or false gods, placing anything or anyone above the one true God. This practice is strictly condemned throughout Scripture, as it violates the first and second commandments given by God to the Israelites. The term "idolater" is derived from the Greek word "eidololatres," which means a worshiper of idols.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, idolatry is a recurring issue among the Israelites, despite clear prohibitions. The first commandment states, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), and the second commandment warns against making and worshiping idols: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath" (Exodus 20:4). Despite these commands, the Israelites frequently fell into idol worship, influenced by surrounding nations.

The prophets often rebuked the people for their idolatry. For instance, Jeremiah lamented, "Has a nation ever changed its gods, though they are no gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols" (Jeremiah 2:11). The consequences of idolatry were severe, often leading to divine judgment and exile, as seen in the Babylonian captivity.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, idolatry extends beyond the worship of physical idols to include any form of covetousness or placing anything above God. The Apostle Paul warns the Corinthians, "Do not be idolaters, as some of them were" (1 Corinthians 10:7), referring to the Israelites' idolatry in the wilderness. He further admonishes the Colossians, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5).

Paul's letters emphasize that idolatry is incompatible with the Christian faith. In Galatians 5:19-21, idolatry is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God. The Apostle John also cautions believers, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21), underscoring the importance of remaining faithful to God alone.

Theological Implications

Idolatry is fundamentally a heart issue, reflecting a misalignment of priorities and affections. It represents a rejection of God's sovereignty and a failure to acknowledge Him as the ultimate source of life and fulfillment. The Bible teaches that God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14), desiring exclusive devotion from His people. Idolatry, therefore, is not merely a violation of divine law but a personal affront to God's character and authority.

Contemporary Relevance

In contemporary society, idolatry may not always involve physical idols but can manifest in various forms, such as the pursuit of wealth, power, fame, or even relationships that take precedence over one's relationship with God. Believers are called to examine their lives and ensure that nothing usurps God's rightful place in their hearts. The call to flee from idolatry remains relevant, urging Christians to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) and to live lives that reflect His glory.1. (n.) A worshiper of idols; one who pays divine honors to images, statues, or representations of anything made by hands; one who worships as a deity that which is not God; a pagan.

2. (n.) An adorer; a great admirer.

1496. eidololatres -- an image worshiper
... Word Origin from eidolon and latris (a hired servant) Definition an image worshiper
NASB Word Usage idolater (2), idolaters (5). idolater. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1496.htm - 6k

4204. porne -- a prostitute
... prostitute, harlot. Feminine of pornos; a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater --
harlot, whore. see GREEK pornos. (pornai) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4204.htm - 6k

Autolycus an Idolater and Scorner of Christians.
... Theophilus to Autolycus: Book I. Chapter I."Autolycus an Idolater and Scorner
of Christians. A fluent tongue and an elegant style ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter i autolycus an idolater and.htm

Ephesians v. 5, 6
... Ephesians v. 5, 6. Ephesians v.5, 6 "For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator,
nor unclean person, nor covetous man, which is an idolater, hath any ...
/.../homily xviii ephesians v 5.htm

Wide Scope of the Word Idolatry.
... account of idolatry. Set aside names, examine works, the idolater is likewise
a murderer. Do you inquire whom he has slain? If it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on idolatry/chapter i wide scope of the.htm

General Conclusion.
... We shall have to go out of the world!" [342] As if it were not as well worth
while to go out, as to stand in the world as an idolater! ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xxiv general conclusion.htm

Of the Prohibition of Adultery in the Decalogue.
... If the sins are deficient in speech, hard by (the door of the church) stands an
idolater, hard by stands a murderer; in their midst stands, too, an adulterer. ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter v of the prohibition of.htm

1 Cor. v. 11-Sep
... needs go out of the world: but now I write unto you not to keep company, if any
man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xvi 1 cor v.htm

The Sinning Brother.
... a brother, even if he be called a brother, as the Apostle says, "If any one that
is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, etc., with ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/30 the sinning brother.htm

In what Sense we are to Leave the World
... But now I have written unto you, not to keep company, if any man that is called
a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 81 in what sense.htm

Third Sunday in Lent
... befitting: but rather giving of thanks.5 For this ye know of a surety, that no
fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday in lent.htm

All Mankind Guilty; Or, Every Man Knows More than He Practises.
... The instant the missionary takes this lustful idolater away from the circle of his
idols, and brings him face to face with the heavens and the earth, as ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/all mankind guilty or every.htm

Idolater (2 Occurrences)
... God; a pagan. 2. (n.) An adorer; a great admirer. Multi-Version Concordance
Idolater (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 5:11 But as it ...
/i/idolater.htm - 7k

Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man
that is called a brother is a lewd person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a ...
/l/lewd.htm - 20k

Whoremonger (4 Occurrences)
... 5:11 and now, I did write to you not to keep company with 'him', if any one, being
named a brother, may be a whoremonger, or covetous, or an idolater, or a ...
/w/whoremonger.htm - 7k

Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who
is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a ...
/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Covetous (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who
is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a ...
/c/covetous.htm - 9k

Heathen (145 Occurrences)
... meaning. In Acts 22:21, Galatians 3:14, it denotes the people of the earth
generally; and in Matthew 6:7, an idolater. In modern ...
/h/heathen.htm - 38k

Unbridled (4 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:5 For this ye are well informed of, knowing that no fornicator, or unclean
person, or person of unbridled lust, who is an idolater, has inheritance ...
/u/unbridled.htm - 7k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... The record of his life is found in Judges 6-8. Joash was an idolater,
and sacrifices to Baal were common among the entire clan. ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Greedy (24 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person,
nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom ...
/g/greedy.htm - 13k

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Idolater: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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